Dedicated loading bays may predominate but there are still plenty of SMEs who get by without them even though they are handling full pallet loads. There may be a variety of reasons for this, such as high cost or objections to dedicated loading bays by the tenancy terms. Moreover, if delivery lorries are all curtain siders then forklifts can load and unload them without any dedicated loading bays or even inexpensive yard ramps, whether used internally or not.
Where there are sound reasons for eschewing dedicated loading bays then yard ramps are worth considering as semi-permanent solutions with mobility built in, but as a stand-alone product they may not always be suitable as the best solution because they have not been designed to be integrated with the warehouse. Recognising this, Thorworld Industries have devised a halfway-house approach that bridges the gap between dedicated loading bays and just a ramp. Its three key elements include a ramp, a platform and a hydraulic dock leveller. By integrating these three items it is possible to create a semi-permanent solution for internal work that meets all of a dedicated loading bay needs without the high costs of civil engineering work and the relatively long installation times. Owing to its mobility, if a change of premises is needed operators looking for new storage locations are not restricted by the need to choose a facility with a dedicated loading bay.
As always when comparing quotes for new or renovated loading bay equipment it is important to ensure good quality kit. Where there are substantial differences in quotes, that could be a sign of wide quality differences. While all equipment suppliers should be aware of the forklift weights and frequency of traffic on dock levellers, for example, the loading bay operations may change to smaller forklifts with smaller wheels to carry heavy loads. This can damage inferior products as the weight is distributed across a smaller area, warns Stertil, which is why they use high quality steel for their dock levellers.
All loading bay operators should also have an eye on the movement towards ‘green’ technology and flexibility because changing legislation for the former will make ‘green’ insouciance more difficult and Omni-channel deliveries’ impact on the latter will highlight the need for built-in flexibility. According to Hormann UK there is a seriously big push for sustainability in the industry. Companies are looking at energy innovations and closed loop solutions where everything from a building can be reused for refurbishment in years to come.
If a loading bay operation changes owing to Omni-channel shopping patterns, then that could have implications for safety, and so force a review of loading bay safety practices. Having to deal with home deliveries in small/medium sized vans, for example, could mean more pedestrian traffic on the bays, highlighting the need for clear safety markings/barriers to segregate pedestrians from handling trucks. Hand balling loads into such vans could increase the risk of musculo-skeletal injuries and so investment in handling aids like telescopic boom loaders should be considered. In an ever-changing loading bay world the need is for every-evolving safety practices to meet the challenges.
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